Korea's lunar exploration plan, aimed at a moon landing in 2032, is taking shape. The government plans to finalize the landing site by the end of this year after conducting scientific and engineering reviews.
The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) held a meeting on October 30 during the Korean Space Science Society's autumn conference to present analysis results of nine candidate sites for the soft-landing verification spacecraft and 20 sites for the lunar lander. The candidates were selected based on previously announced landing sites and areas of interest from scientists. The analysis involved collaboration with the Korean Space Science Society, the Korean Geological Society, and KARI.
KARI plans to launch the soft-landing verification spacecraft in the first half of 2032 and the lunar lander in the second half using next-generation launch vehicles. The verification spacecraft will test soft-landing technology and observe the lunar environment, while the lunar lander will aim for precise landing on the moon's surface to conduct resource exploration. This initiative seeks to gather foundational data on the lunar environment and establish the groundwork for utilizing local resources for future lunar economic bases.
The evaluation of the soft-landing verification sites focused on their suitability for studying interactions between solar wind, Earth's magnetic field, and the lunar surface, as well as the ability to observe the dust environment on the moon. The analysis of lunar lander candidate sites included assessments of surface chemical composition, mineral diversity, and key geological characteristics. The potential for exploring volatile substances like hydrogen and oxygen, as well as metal resources, was also considered.
Engineering analyses were conducted to assess landing safety and mission feasibility. This included a comprehensive evaluation of visibility from Earth and the sun, the slope of the lunar surface, and the distribution of terrain that could pose landing risks.
KARI plans to select the final landing site by the end of this year based on the analysis results for each candidate site.
“We will continue to communicate with relevant experts and strive to select the optimal landing site for Korea's lunar exploration mission based on scientific and engineering analyses,” said Kang Kyung-in, head of KARI's Space Science Exploration Division.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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